Townscape Heritage Initiative - Scotland

Key facts

Services Provided

Project Monitoring

Sectors

Conservation

2M Associates Ltd has been providing Project Monitoring services to the Edinburgh Office of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) since 2009 and in that time we have been appointed onto a number of Townscape Heritage Initiatives (THIs), where as Project Monitor, we have become the “eyes and ears” of the HLF at project level.

As Project Monitors, we undertake a structured review of each THI at pre-determined intervals and report upon:

Progress of all relevant THI Scheme activities against the approved programme

Scheme Expenditure (actual / forecast) against the budget

Proposed and actual changes to individual projects and the likely effects

Review of individual projects with respect to design, financial credibility and contractual correctness with recommendations to the HLF regarding their suitability for 3rd Party Grant Award.

Applications for Group quarterly finance draw down.

Examples of Townscape Heritage Initiatives currently being undertaken within Scotland include:

Ayr THI

Bo’ness THI

Govan THI

Merchant City THI

Parkhead THI

Each of the THIs are at different stages and to date, they have generated a total of £6.93 Million of grants on a capital works value of £35 Million.

At 2M Associates, we provide Project Monitoring services to each of the THI Managers, helping them in the preparation of their documentation including Conservation Deficits for individual grant requests, Progress Reports, Action Plans, Cash Flow Forecasts, Final Reports and Scheme Evaluations. We have regularly undertaken site reviews / visits to witness the progress of the THI towards their approved purposes and to ensure that good conservation practices are being adhered to. On some of the larger grant awards, we also provide construction and procurement advice.

As the eyes and ears of the HLF, we have formed excellent working relationships with the HLF Project Officers, informing them of progress and any issues that may arise as well as ensuring that each THI is delivered to its approved purposes as per the respective grant contracts. We have ensured that the risks to the HLF arising from the projects within the THIs are fully understood and managed and that best practice is achieved through sound financial and project management procedures.